Tamil Heritage Trust is an organization run by a few enthusiasts based in Chennai. We organize monthly talks on issues related to heritage and culture. We also organize intense heritage workshops.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Koodiyattam - Sanskrit theatre of Kerala - by PS Gnanaprakash

தமிழ்பாரம்பரியம்

(Tamil Heritage Trust)

presents

"Koodiyattam -
Sanskrit theatre of Kerala"

by

PS Gnanaprakash

at 5.30pm on May, 5th, 2012

at Vinobha Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.

Synopsis:

Koodiyattam is one of the most ancient living theatrical traditions
using Sanskrit plays for its production. Koodiyattam finds its expression
in 'Koottambalam' (auditorium), an inseparable part of temples in Kerala.
This art is practiced and propagated by the Chakkiar community. Hence it is also known by the name – Chakkiar Kootu. Both men and women
participate in this tradition and they generally adopt the classics of
Kalidasa, Bhasa, Sriharsha, Pallava Mahendra Varma, Kulasekhara, Saktibhadra
etc. The stage adoption is elaborate and highly stylized. They
follow the stage manuals which is known as Attaprakaram. Their
costume is semi realistic and the stage mannerisms are highly stylized.
Cymbals, idakka and a unique percussion instrument called 'milavu' are used
in the orchestra.

Generally the
Nangyars (women) sing while the Nambiyars (male) play the instruments. Nangyars also
play the female roles. Language changes from Sanskrit to Prakrit and even
to classical Malayalam.

The vachikam
of Koodiyattam resembles the Vedic chanting tradition of Kerala. The
songs are set to several ancient ragas. The antiquity of Koodiyattam goes
to 10th century A.D. It is said that King Kulasekhara Varma structured
this art and employed his own Sanskrit plays Tapatisamvaranam and
Subhadradhananjayam for the repertory.

Speaker:

Gnanaprakash is a passionate art and cultural enthusiast. He graduated from
Anna University and is now working as a systems engineer in CSS Corp Pvt Ltd in
Coimbatore. He has documented the profile of nearly 500 carnatic musicians who were
born before 1950 in a website with thousands of photographs and audio
clippings. He has also archived numerous photographs, audio and video clippings related to the cultural
heritage of Kerala. Apart from this he is keenly interested in collecting and
archiving 78 RPM gramophone recordings, particularly of the South Indian music.

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